The Epistle of James

1. The Epistle ofJames Lesson 8 “Faith and the Reward of Patience” (Continued) James 5:7-20 Page 21

2. Overview of Chapter 5:7-20 • “Faith and the Reward of Patience” • Be patient and persevering (5:7-11) • Examples of patience should inspire us • Do not swear (5:12) • The prayer of faith will help the sick (5:13-18) • The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much • Bringing back an unfaithful brother

3. Question • What should be the basic reaction of victimized brethren to their ill treatment by the rich? (vs. 7a) 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.

4. Question • Cite the three examples of patience used by James. (vs. 7b, 10, 11) First, 7 …See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

5. Question • Cite the three examples of patience used by James. (vs. 7b, 10, 11) Second, 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure.

6. Question • Cite the three examples of patience used by James. (vs. 7b, 10, 11) Third, 11 …You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

7. Question • What (a) event and (b) its timing should be reasons enough for patience in the difficult time in which these Christians lived? (vs. 8,9) 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

8. “Establish Your Hearts” (5:8) • Patience will “establish” our hearts in spiritual strength • “Establish” – To make sure, to be firm, and unwavering • We must endure as did the prophets • We must have patience as did Job • “…for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” • We must maintain this state until our last breath or until the Lord returns

9. “Do Not Grumble…” (5:9) • “Grumbling” is complaining, murmuring, being fretful and impatient with others, quarrelsome • It will cause us to be condemned • We must remember – “the Judge is standing at the door” (9) • Christ is near and ready to execute judgment • Judgment could come at any time • Are we ready?

10. “Do Not Swear…” (5:12) • 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. • “Swearing” is to invoke [or call to witness] the name of God, or some person, or object in making a declaration • Christians must not swear • This is “above all,” “lest you fall into judgment”

11. Question • What response should Christians make in each of these situations: • Suffering ___________________________ • Cheerfulness ________________________ • Sickness ____________________________ • Sin ________________________________ Pray (13) Sing psalms (13) Ask the elders to pray (14) Confess and pray (16)

12. Let’s Read James 5:13-16 (NKJ) 13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

13. Elijah Prayed… (5;17, 18) 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. • Elijah was a man with a nature like ours • “He prayed earnestly…” “and he prayed again…” • Prayers of faith are always and in all situations effective in solving every trial faced by the Christian

14. Question • What two blessings come to those who help erring brethren overcome discouragement and sin? (vs. 19,20) 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

15. Helping Wanderers… (5:19, 20) • It is a fact that some brethren will wander from the truth. • Lack of faith and faithfulness is at the top of the list • Each faithful child of God has the responsibility to help others to develop wisdom and patience in their trials • “Someone” is needed to “turn them back” to faith, patience, and nearness to God • We are all tools in the hands of God

16. What God expects when we are tried: • We are to exhibit wisdom and faith in our responses. • We should understand the source and purpose of our trials. • We must appreciate the role of God’s word in facing our problems. • We should apply God’s word to each trial situation. • We must cultivate PATIENCE! (Taken from page 2 of our workbook and is brief summary of the Epistle of James)

17. James 5:7-8 (NKJ) Be Patient and Persevering 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

18. James 5:9-11 (NKJ) Be Patient and Persevering 9Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

19. James 5:9-11 (NKJ) Be Patient and Persevering 12But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

20. James 5:13-16 (NKJ) 13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

21. James 5:7-20 (NKJ) 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Bring Back the Erring One 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.